Hold open devices for double acting floor hinges



Dec. 20, 1960 W. ENGELS 2,964,782

HOLD OPEN OEVICES FOR DOUBLE ACTING FLOOR HINGES Filed June 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z8 15 if' "'H'lllllm..

if .51 f5 5 74 5 INVENTOR 4g /nk ATTORNEY Dec. 2o, 1960 w. ENGELS 2,964,782

HOLD OPEN DEVICES FOR DOUBLE ACTING FLOOR HINGES Filed June 25, 1958 2 Sheecs-Sheel'l 2 @d [,063 Z! 7 `/j5' INVENTOR /7/J ATTORNEY United States Patent() HOLD OPEN DEVICES FOR DOUBLE ACTING FLOOR HINGES Walter Engels, Tryon, N.C., assignor to Bommer Spring Hinge Co., Inc., Landrum, S.C., a corporation of New York Filed 'June z5', 195s, ser. No. 744,380 6 Claims. (c1. is-iss) A further object of the inventionis to provide ahold open device for double acting swinging doors Whose holding action is fully automatic, which is simple and cheap in manufacture, and which does not require additional space in the floor hinge.

The above and other objects of the invention are attained by the provision of a hold open device consisting of two followers and of retaining means therefor, at least one component part of the retaining means being spring biased to yield when engaged'by the one or the other follower, and either the followers or the re taining Jmeans` comprising elements of at least partly spherical configuration.

In accordance with .an Vimportant feature of my invention, component parts ofthe followers are installed in, or the followers consist of, connecting means which in the `checking floor hinges to whichy my invention may be applied connect the spindle with the checking pistons,

the latters function being to retard and to cushion the the followers distance from thespindle is" so selected` that the one or the other follower is automatically moved into the space between the retaining means when the door connected with the spindle is swung into open positionto one or the otheer sideofits closed position..

The" holding action of retaining. means Vis due to the provision of. resilient means constantly urging the one, the other, or both, components of ther retaining means into` the path of a follower and exerting sufficient pressure thereagainst to prevent the followers` disengage-A ment from the retaining means under the influence of one of the main springs. The main springs form part of the floor hinge and oppose one another constantly to urge the spindle into a median position in which the swinging door connected thereto is closed. Thus, the improved hold Vopen device actually consists of a spindle, of two links movable in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis about which the spindle rotates, and of retaining means operating substantially at right angles to the plane of the links movement.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment of my invention, the links constituting the follower means of the hold open device connect respective pistons of the checking device with the spindle, each link being formed with atleast one recess or seatto receive therein ay If'theretaining ineans comprises more than one spherical n 2,964,782 Patented Dec. zo, 1960 lCe element, at least one thereof is so installed in the spindle that it may yield to the pressure of an advancing link when the door is swung from closed into open position and to thereupon retain the link in a position `reached by the latter when the door is fully open. The spindle has two extreme positions in which the door connected thereto is open, and a neutral position intermediate its 70 spherical element forming part of the retaining means.-

p the door Yis swung from its closed position.

extreme positions in which the door is closed.

According to another embodiment of my invention,A

each link of Vthe checking pistons carries a spherical element or ball, such balls together with the links constituting the follower means of the hold open device.

The retaining means comprises at least one retainingA member formed with a suitable seat to receive the one or the other ball depending on the direction in which At least one ball of the retaining means is spring biased, i.e. it is under constant pressure by resilient ymeans which latter permits entry of a link into the space provided in the spindle to engage with at least one retaining element.

Other features, advantages and attributes of the invention will become apparent and will be pointed out ments mounted therein constitute the'follower means of one form of the hold open device;

Fig. 2 is a substantially central section taken on line 2 2 of Fig..1, further showing the cover plate and the arm by means of which'the spindle isA connected to a swinging door;

. Y Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2 as seen in the direction ofvarrows,one of the,

followers being shown therein in operative position;

Fig. V4 is an enlarged end view of the spindle in partialv section as seen from the right side of Fig. 1 or 2;

Fig. 5 illustrates a slightly modified spindle and a slightly modified retaining element therein; and

Fig. 6 shows another form of the hold open device,

in which the piston links alone constitute the follower means, and in which the retaining means comprises two lspherical elements. Referring now in greater detail to the embodiment of` Figs. 1 to 4, and first to Figs. `1 and 2, the double actingchecking floor hinge therein shown comprises afcasing 10 rotatably supporting the lower e'nd`12 of a spindle 11.- Thislower end 121is formed as the inner race of an anti-v friction be'aring whose outer race 13 is installed in casing 10,`the balls 14 being vdisposed betweenparts 12 and 13.

L lpperV end 1S of the composite spindle 11 is of nonclrcular contour and extends above the cover plate 16 to be received in the opening 18 of an actuating arm 17 which connects'the spindle to a swinging door, not shown.

Spindle 11 consists of two interconnected parts. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the lower part 11a comprises the aforementioned inner race 12, a rhomboidal plate 19 and a mandrel 20, the latter extending into the vadjacent rhomboidal plate 21 of the upper spindle part 11b. Bolts 22, 23 mounted in the laterally extending wings of they plate 21 prevent angular displacements of plate 19 with respect to plate 21 and also serve'to swingably support f piston'links 24, 25, respectively.

Upper part 11b of the spindle further comprises the above mentioned non-circular end 15 and a pair of winged plates 26, 27 defining `therebetween a reduced'zone 28 to provide room for p ivot pins 29, 30. These pins ro-. tatably mount links 31, 32, respectively, by means ofA4 which the main springs-33, 34 "cause angular movements of spindle 11 into the neutral position of Figs. 1 and 2 in which the swinging door connected to arm 17 is closed. The link train between main spring 33 and link 31 is completedbyan elongatedlink 35 and a pair of spaced links 36 pivotally connecting members 31 and 35. Main spring 34 is connected to link 32 over member 37 and a pair of spaced links 38.

Tension of resilient elements 33, 34 is controlled by spring adjusters 39, 40, respectively, which are adjustably fastened to the cover 16 by a number of screws 41.

The endsof each spring 33, 34 engage with one of top carriers 42, 43 and with one of bottom carriers 44, 45, respectively, which are disposed in surrounding relationship about respective posts 46, 47, The posts engage with bottom carriers 44, 45, respectively, but are freely rotatable in the top carriers 42, 43, their upper ends being non-rotatably connected with the respective spring adjusters 40, 41. Links 35, 37 are pivotally connected to the top carriers 42, 43 of respective main springs 33, 34. In this manner, and when the arm 17 is moved from its idle position in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of composite spindle 11, spring 33 tends to return arm 17 into idle position over elements 42, 35, 36 and 31. When the arm 17 is swung in the other direction, spring 34 tends to return it over elements 43, 37, 38 and 32 in that order, the latter causing spindle 11 to rotate arm 17 back into .the position of Fig. 2.

The checking assembly comprises the aforesaid links 24, 25, a pair of pistons 48, 49, and a twin cylinder 50 into which the pistons extend. The purpose of this checking assembly is to retard and cushion return movements of arm 17 with a door connected thereto into idle (i.e. closing) position. The checking oor hinge thus meets varying wind and draft conditions.

When the spindle, with a door attached to arm 17, moves in the `direction of arrow A (see Fig. l), piston 48 moves into the position shown in Fig. 3. A checking fluid is then free to flow into the bore 51 of cylinder 50 through a ball valve (notshown) in piston 48. When the door and spindle 11 return into neutral position of Figs. l and 2, piston 48, its ball valve now closed, expels the checking fluid from bore 51 through one of two needle valves (not shown) in cylinder 50. The latter valves are controlled by threaded pins 50a, 50b screwed into the cover plate 16 to control the speed at which the fluid may be expelled and consequently the speed at which the spindle is rotated black into neutral position and at which the door returns into closed position.

The operation of the other piston 49 in its bore 52 is analogous.

The above described assembly of a checking floor hinge and checking mechanism is well known and in itself forms no part but merely the environment of my invention.

The invention resides in the provision off a pair of spherical elements 60, 61 in the respective piston links 24, 25 at such distance from the spindle 11 that the one or the other of elements 60, 61 enters the seat provided between a rst retaining element, i.e. the plate 19 forming part of spindle portion 11a, and a yieldably mounted retaining element 62 provided in the other part 11b of the spindle. downward direction by a compressed helical spring 63 installed in a somewhat inclined bore 64 in upper part 11b of the spindle. The outward, that is, downward movement of pin 62 is limited by a transverse stop member 65 received in a lateral cutout 66 of the pin. It will be seen that the links 24, 25 together with respective spherical elements 60, 61 constitute follower means of the improved hold open device.

The operation of the just described hold open device is as follows:

When thespindle 11,is rotated into the extreme position of Fig. 3, links 24, 25 move with respect to the spindle .in .a planepassng .through ,the space between Element or pin 62 is continuously urged in.

spindle portions 11a, 11b and the ball 60 enters into the seat 67 in plate 19 and is maintained in such position by pin 62 which latter, under the influence of spring 63, bears against the spherical element 60 with suicient force to retain it against the force of main spring 33 which, as above stated, constantly urges spindle 11 and consequently. arms 24, 25 with respective balls 60, 61 back into the position of Fig. l. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the lower end face of pin 62 `defines a seat 67a similar to seat 67 in plate 19 to receive a portion of ball 60 when the latter is in the position of Fig. 3. It will also be noted that the position of seat 67 is selected with a view to bring it into receiving position for the ball 60 when the spindle 11 with arm 17 is rotated through about 90 degrees in the direction of arrow A, namely, into the position in which the door is open. The door may be closed by main spring 33 when suicient force is applied thereagainst by an attendant to displace pin 62 in upward direction against the action of helical spring 63 in order to remove ball 60 from its seats 67 and 67a.

The operation of the other follower consisting of link 25 and ball 61 is analogous. This follower becomes active when the spindle 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow B into its other extreme position.

Certain modifications of the just described hold open device will readily occur to persons skilled in the art Iwithout in any way departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, an element similar to member 62 may be screwed into plate 19 in position occupied by seat 67 to allow for adjustments in the distance between itself and member 62. In this manner, the pressure of spring 63 and consequently the retaining force of pin 62 may be controlled within a desired pressure range. Also, the position of pin 62 and of seat 67 may be reversed, if desired.

The retaining means may be installed in a greatly simplified spindle 111, `as is illustrated in Fig. 5. This spindle consists of a single piece of metallic material and is provided with a bore 168 in its lower portion 111a for reception of a stationary retaining member 169 which is formed with a seat 167, the latter receiving a ball in piston link 124. Members 124 and 160 form one component part of the follower means. The upper retaining member 162 is installed in a vertical bore 164 provided in the other spindle portion 111b. It is guided by a stop member 165 and is constantly urged in the direction of member 169 by a coil spring 163 in the manner identical with that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of my invention in which the piston links of the checking device by themselves constitute -follower means of the hold open device. Piston link 224 therein shown is formed with a pair of seats 270, 271 for reception of respective balls 272, 273 forming part of the retaining means. The other piston link (not shown) is of identical construction.

Ball 272 is installed in a socket provided in retaining pin 262 received in a slightly inclined bore 264. Bore 264 houses a coil spring 263 constantly urging pin 262 in downward direction to the extent determined by a stop member 265 received in the spindle 211. Otherwise, the construction of spindle 211 is the same as that of spindle 11 shown in Fig. 4.

Ball 273 is received in a socket provided in the plate 219 of spindle 211 and is so aligned with the upper ball 272 that it extends into the seat 271 when the upper ball is recived in the other seat 270. It will be noted that piston link 224 has suicient freedom of movement between plates 219 yand 221 to allow the passage of vits underside over the lower ball 273 when the door connected to `spindle 211 is swung into open position, i.e. when the link `224 advances toward its position shown in Fig. 6. This hold open device operates in a manner analogous to that described in connection with the embodiment o iFigs. l1 to 4.

"Withput .burner analrss., `the imbecille :will .so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,preadily adapt it to various uses within the meaning and scope of the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. A hold open device for double acting checking oor hinges having a pair of checking pistons which comprises, in combination: a vertical spindle connectable for rotation with a swinging door and having two extreme positions in which the door connected thereto is open and a neutral position intermediate said extreme positions in which the door is closed, two opposing springs, a pair of main links, a pair of secondary links, a plate connected to said spindle and extending at right angles to the axis thereof with oppositely extending wings, each wing pivotally connected to one of said secondary links, each secondary link pivotally connected to one of said main links, each main link connected to one of said springs, said opposing springs cooperating with said wings normally to maintain said spindle in neutral position in which the door is closed, said spindle comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said portions being connected to each other and defining a space therebetween; said secondary links each pivotally connected with said plate and with one of said pistons for movements with respect to the spindle in a substantially horizontal plane passing through said space when the spindle rotates and one thereof extending into said space when the spindle is in one of said extreme positions; and means connected with at least one of said spindle portions for releasably holding one of said links, when the spindle is in a corresponding extreme position, said means comprising a substantially vertically reciprocable springbiased retaining element having a substantially concave seat normally extending into said space at least partially retractable into said one spindle position and further comprising a spherical element so installed in each of said secondary links as to be received in said seat, when the spindle is in a corresponding extreme position whereby the spindle is held against rotation and the door connected with said spindle is maintained in open position.

2. A hold open device for double acting checking oor hinges having a pair of checking pistons which cornprises, in combination: a vertical spindle connectable for rotation with a swinging door and having two extreme positions in which the door connected thereto is open and a neutral positon intermediate said extreme positions in which the door is closed, two opposing springs, a pair of main links, a pair of secondary links, a plate connected to said spindle and extending at right angles to the axis thereof with oppositely extending wings, each wing pivotally connected to one of said secondary links, each secondary link pivotally connected to one of said main links, each main link connected to one of said springs, said opposing springs cooperating with said wings normally to maintain said spindle in neutral position in which the door is closed, the spindle comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said portions defining a space therebetween and one thereof having a substantially vertical bore with an end opening into said space; a retaining element reciprocably received in said bore; resilient means in said bore for constantly urging the retaining element toward and partially into said space; means connected with said one portion for limiting the extent to which said retaining element is movable into said space; said secondary links each pivotally connected with said plate and with one of said pistons for movements with respect to the spindle in a substantially horizontal plane passing through said space when the spindle rotates and one thereof extending into said space when the spindle is in one of said extreme positions, each of said secondary links comprising a spherical element installed therein at a point to engage with said retaining element when the spindle is in a corresponding extreme position, said resilient means releasably urging the retaining element into engagement with one of said spherical elements with a force sufficient to maintain the spindle in a corresponding extreme position whereby the door connected with said spindle is maintained in open position.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said opposing springs each constantly urge the spindle into said neutral position with a fixed force when the spindle is in one of said extreme positions, the force with which said resilient means acts against said retaining element being greater than the force with which said springs urge the spindle into said neutral position whereby the respective spherical element remains engaged by the retaining element when the spindle is in a corresponding extreme position.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said retaining element has a substantially concave seat normally extending into said space for receiving the respective spherical element when the spindle is in a corresponding extreme position.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the other of said spindle portions has a surface turned toward said one spindle portion and a substantially concave seat in said surface substantially vertically alined with said retaining element for receiving the respective spherical element when the spindle is in a corresponding extreme position.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said retaining element is a cylindrical pin having a pe ripheral zone and an elongated cutout in said peripheral zone, and said means for limiting the movement of said retaining element is a pin fixed to said one spindle portion and extending into said cutout.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,160,676 Tuomi Nov. 16, 1915 1,312,667 Ayres Aug. 12, 1919 1,827,595 MacGuire Oct. 13, 1931 2,866,224 Ellis Dec. 30, 1958 

